” I realized what Led Zeppelin was about around the end of our first U.S. tour. We started off not even on the bill in Denver, and by the time we got to New York we were second to Iron Butterfly, and they lidn’t want to go on!” ~Robert Plant..
Robert Plant’s reflection on Led Zeppelin’s early U.S. tour provides a fascinating glimpse into the band’s meteoric rise and the energy that
surrounded their ascent. The quote—”I realized what Led Zeppelin was about around the end of our first U.S. tour…”—captures the moment when Plant truly grasped the magnitude and potential of what he and his bandmates were creating.
In late 1968 and early 1969, Led Zeppelin embarked on their first tour of the United States. At the time, they were relatively unknown in America. In fact, as Plant mentions, they weren’t even featured on the promotional bill in Denver, where they played their first U.S. show. But things changed quickly. Audiences were electrified by their performances, especially the raw power of Jimmy Page’s guitar, John Bonham’s thunderous drumming, John Paul Jones’ versatility, and Plant’s soaring vocals. The chemistry between the four musicians was immediate and undeniable.
By the time the band reached New York City, one of the final stops on the tour, their status had drastically changed. They were no longer just a supporting act—they were a sensation. Plant notes that they had climbed the ranks so rapidly that they were second on the bill to Iron Butterfly, who at the time were well-established with their hit “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” However, as Plant tells it, Iron Butterfly didn’t even want to follow Led Zeppelin’s performance. This speaks volumes about the energy and dominance Zeppelin exuded on stage. Their live shows were not just concerts—they were explosive events that left other acts in the dust.
The quote also hints at a turning point for Plant personally. It’s one thing to form a band and rehearse, but it’s something entirely different to feel the weight and electricity of a live audience connecting with the music. That tour showed Plant and the rest of Led Zeppelin that they weren’t just another rock band—they were part of something much larger and more powerful. It was the beginning of their transformation into rock legends.
Ultimately, Plant’s memory reflects both the surprise and the thrill of that realization. Led Zeppelin wasn’t just gaining fans—they were igniting a movement. And from that tour onward, rock music would never be the same.
